Travelling by van or camper van promises a journey filled with freedom, the chance to discover landscapes that are wilder and more unspoilt than ever, and to experience an extraordinary adventure. But a van isn't enough for a van trip! No: you need to plan your first van trip in advance, to ensure as much peace of mind as possible once you're there!
1. Equipping your van properly
First and foremost, to prepare for your first trip in a van, you'll need to equip your vehicle. There are two ways of doing this: starting from scratch and fitting out a vehicle in your own image, or renting a converted van. But even in the second case, it won't be enough to come with your hands in your pockets, and you'll need to bring along some equipment.
Here's a list of equipment you might need:
- Windscreen protector: to insulate you from the outside temperature, but also to protect you from prying eyes and early morning light
- Sleeping bag and pillow: you'll also need one or two extra blankets
- Stove
- Pots, pans and plates (preferably plastic, which is lighter and won't break)
- Kettle
- Fridge or icebox
- Folding tables and chairs
- Clothesline and pegs
- Electrical outlet with power strip
- Toolbox for repairs and van maintenance
- Flashlight, for getting out of the van at night
- Chains, if crossing mountainous terrain (some regions require snow tires in winter)
- A bath towel
For a more exhaustive list, see our full article on van equipment.
2. Travel light
Even so, there are several reasons why it's essential to travel light. Firstly, your daily living space will be restricted, and you could quickly find yourself suffocated by all those "just in case" items you'll probably never use. Secondly, every extra piece of equipment adds weight to your van, and therefore requires more fuel. Bottom line: you'll spend more money, and pollute a lot more. Travelling light is a good tip for preparing your first van trip and travelling in an environmentally-friendly way. You can also calculate your carbon footprint for a more eco-responsible trip.
3. Plan your itinerary in advance, but remain flexible
There's nothing worse than being in a van and not knowing what tomorrow will bring! This can lead to real travel anxiety. To prepare for your first van trip, remember to plan your van itinerary in advance. You don't need to plan everything down to the minute, but you do need to have an overall roadmap of the countries or regions you'll be visiting. This will give you a good idea of the destination. For example, some countries, such as Slovenia, require vans to be parked in reserved campsites or paying parking lots, rather than out in the open. Of course, nothing is set in stone, and you'll need to remain flexible to keep your trip spontaneous and adventurous.
4. Find places to sleep in advance
Beyond the itinerary itself, it's a good idea to identify a few places to sleep. Here again, nothing is set in stone: you need to be flexible. But it can be useful to find out in advance where you can park your van, so as not to be taken by surprise when night falls. There's a very useful app for this, called Park4Night, which helps you find the best places to park your van or motorhome for the night.
5. Defining your budget for your first van trip
It's true that traveling by van saves money on accommodation, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a budget. When planning your first van trip, it's a good idea to take into account the following items:
- Fuel, based on kilometers traveled and rates in your destination,
- Tolls,
- Van rental, if applicable,
- Garage visits, if any,
- The cost of pitches,
- Food,
- Overnight accommodation, if you wish to take a few breaks,
- Activities.
6. Servicing and maintaining your van
Preparing for your first trip in a van also means anticipating mechanical problems, which will often occur. To ensure maximum peace of mind during your trip, and above all unfailing safety, don't skip the overhaul stage. Preferably, take your van to the garage well before the day of departure, to give yourself time to react if repairs are needed.
Once again, take good care of your van during the journey. Make sure you have everything you need to maintain it, and give it a little mechanical training before you hit the road. There are many tutorial videos available online. After all, if you're lost in the wilderness, a minor problem can quickly turn into a major hassle if you don't know what to do. In addition to the toolbox, you may also want to bring coolant, engine oil and brake fluid. So you can enjoy your van trip in complete peace of mind!
7. Test your van at the weekend
This advice is particularly valid if you're taking a van that you've fitted out yourself. Before embarking on a major trip lasting from a week to several months, consider testing your van over a weekend, or several! During these short trips, you'll get a real feel for the terrain, and be able to check in situ whether the equipment works. You'll certainly realize that you'll have needs you hadn't anticipated. For example, you'll be able to see for yourself how hot the van is, and if necessary you'll be able to add heaters or blankets. Ideally, organize this first van trip in a destination similar to that of your longer trip to come (mountain, beach, forest...), so as to really get a precise idea. Once you're back from this first trip, all you have to do is modify the layout of your van according to your impressions!
Where to travel alone in a van?
Travelling alone as a woman can be frightening, even more so when you're travelling in a van. Fortunately, there are many safe destinations in France and elsewhere. In France, the Auvergne is one of the regions with the best safety records in the country. Its hilly landscapes, national park offering superb hiking and gastronomic specialties make it a perfect destination for van travel. Occitanie also offers beautiful landscapes and remains a fairly safe region. Franche-Comté, meanwhile, is a superb off-the-beaten-track destination.
Outside France, you can travel alone without too much hassle in Norway, Germany, France and Italy Germanyspain and Portugal.
Where to travel with your family in a van?
For your first van trip with children, it may be a good idea to travel in France or in the country where you live. This way, you'll know much better how to react in the event of a visit to the doctor or other emergency, and you'll be able to prepare for an international van trip the next time around. In addition to the French regions mentioned above, you can also visit the Pyrenees, Brittany or Corsica.
For a family van trip abroad, seaside destinations such as Portugal or Spain, which are not too far from France, are also good ideas.
What's the best country to travel in a van?
Norway is an excellent place to travel by van, thanks to one of its laws: the right to nature. Indeed, the country considers free access to nature a right for all, even when it comes to private property. But every right must be accompanied by a duty, and so you will be expected to respect natural areas.
Off-the-beaten-track destinations are also perfect for a van trip: Scotland, Finland, Iceland or, further afield, New Zealand..
